You’ve heard of the solar rebate, but what about VEECs?
If you’re planning to replace a gas hot water system, ditch ducted heating, or upgrade to a more efficient all-electric setup, there’s a good chance VEECs can be part of your upgrade
But many people don’t even realise they exist, let alone how they work.
Let’s break it down in plain English.
What are VEECs?
VEEC stands for Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificate. These are part of the Victorian Energy Upgrades Program, which rewards households for making energy-saving improvements to their homes.
Each time you install a more efficient product,like a heat pump or electric heating system, you earn VEECs. The more carbon the upgrade is expected to save, the more VEECs you get.
And just like STCs, these are converted into a dollar discount off your install price, upfront.
The key difference is that VEECs are about “upgrades”, the act of decommissioning an inefficient appliance and replacing it with an energy-efficient alternative. STCs are not; they are about doing something good for the environment, like solar and battery.
What can you claim VEECs on?
VEECs apply to a range of upgrades in Victorian homes, including:
- ✅ Replacing a gas or electric hot water system with a heat pump
- ✅ Removing gas ducted heating and installing electric heating & cooling
They do not apply to solar panel systems or batteries—that’s where STCs come in.
What are VEECs worth?
The value varies depending on:
- Your current system (e.g. gas vs electric)
- The type and efficiency of the new system
- Where you live
- The certificate trading market (just like STCs)
It’s worth noting, they are not as stable as STCs and their price can fluctuate significantly.
As of mid-2025:
- VEECs for heat pump hot water typically save you $300–$500
- VEECs for heating & cooling upgrades are worth around $3,000–$5,000
- Like STCs, they decrease every year, so acting sooner makes a big difference
Real example
A family in Woodend replaced their old gas hot water system with an Istore heat pump. The VEEC value on their job was $450, applied as an instant discount.
They also removed ducted gas heating and installed a ducted reverse cycle electric system, receiving another $4,000 in VEECs, plus long-term savings by powering it with their existing solar.
Combined, the VEECs took $4,450 off their install costs.
The catch? It’s not about eligibility but decommissioning
Most homeowners do qualify for VEECs if they’re replacing an older, less efficient system.
The real trap is leaving it too late or choosing a system based purely on rebate value.
If the new system doesn’t properly meet your needs or isn’t sized correctly, you could end up paying more in the long run.
And with VEECs going down every year, the longer you wait, the smaller the support.
Can you stack VEECs with other rebates?
Absolutely. In fact, that’s one of the best parts about VEECs, they play nicely with other programs like:
- The Solar Victoria rebate
- STCs (for heat pumps and solar)
- The Cheaper Home Battery Program
So yes, you could be eligible for two or three rebates on a single upgrade if it’s designed the right way.
Want to know what VEECs you qualify for?
We’ll help you figure out:
- Which of your current systems qualify for a VEEC upgrade
- What your rebate would be worth
- How to stack it with other programs without cutting corners
Book your free onsite consult here or call us on (03) 5426 5522.
No gimmicks—just straightforward answers from a local team that knows how to make these rebates work for you.